..using your own voice..

I am sitting here in my office thinking about something which has often crossed my mind. It is the ever-present (and age-old) tension of originality and timelessness bound up in the term "truth". Today, I am exploring a facet of this which I have explored before, but am returning to again. It is what George Herbert agonized over and what C.S. Lewis seemed to do naturally:

How do we give a fresh vision and perspective of the gospel to those around us without merely borrowing the phraseology and mannerisms of others (and thereby not feeling the weight of the vision), or abandoning the truthful proclamation of it in favour of originality?

Conservative brothers and sisters are tempted to the former, and may idolize leaders in the church or their teachings ("I'm of Paul, I'm of Apollos, I'm of Christ..."). This breeds elitism, which is subtle and extremely deadly: death by cold-shoulder is very painful. Liberal brothers and sisters are tempted to the latter, and may idolize the temporal, tangible effects of the gospel (Corinthians, again...), like freedom and equality. This breeds deletism (removal of all distinction), which is not subtle and extremely deadly.

Of course, these descriptions are a touch formulaic - the real situation is thoroughly layered. All Christians are continually being refined; some swing violently across the spectrum from one side to the other, or hop back and forth (tossed by every wind of doctrine). Other people start on one side and never feel the peculiar weight or vices natural to the other side of the spectrum (but perhaps are slow to get to the middle). All Christians, by God's wondrous mercy, will balance out, and often like a fine red-wine: with age.

What does this mean for my initial question then? The fact is, truth has both subjective and objective elements. Gasp! Dear God, what did he say? It's true. The subjective element is the person speaking or conveying the truth; the objective element is the truth conveyed. The substance of truth is never changed, but the mystery is that it cannot be detached from the communication of that truth. How do we know that there is any substance at all? This mystery: The Father begets the Son. The Son is the exact "expression" of God, who is the ultimate truth or substance. Every time God communicates himself to others, it is through his Son. The Holy Spirit reflects and embodies the utter unity of the two. This unity is so intense that it is personal, and this personal being or unity resides in all believers. God is the object, Christ is the subject, and the Spirit is the manner of our Worship.

This is why believers ought to strive to speak with their own voice. Don't worry about what others might think - simply speak and live the truth in the way you know how. All of your life and experiences were crafted so that the truth might be expressed in a unique way through you - like the formulation of a beautiful snowflake around a piece of dust.

So how do you get your own voice? I will be as practical as possible: study the word of God and pray with a seeker's heart. Listen to a wide variety of preaching and teaching from pastors and Christian leaders who elevate Christ. Finally, be mindful of your areas of expression and service. Some might express through the arts (music, painting, writing, etc...) and some might serve behind the scenes. Do it in your own voice and to the glory of God.

Bread

For both of you who read this blog and wonder what I am up to - I have an exciting post in store for you today. Lately I have been making bread, lots of bread, and I want to share with you one of my recipes. This involves utilizing the 'dough' function of a bread maker and the entire process takes approximately 3 hours.

Todd's Soft Bread
(for Subs or as an appetizer - think East Side Mario's)

I. Ingredients
(DRY)
3 1/2 cups of Bread Flour
1/2 cup of Sugar
1 teaspoon of Salt
2 teaspoons of Yeast (1 packet)
2 tablespoons of Italian Mix of spices (thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage, etc...)

(WET)
3/4 cup of Milk
1/4 cup of Water
1 tablespoon of Olive Oil
1 beaten Egg

II. Directions

A. Into the Breadmaker
-Combine water and milk together and microwave for about 20 sec (or until warm)
-Pour water/milk, beat egg, and oil in breadmaker pan
-Add sugar, salt, and Italian mix to pan
-Add 3 1/4 cups of flour into pan (put 1/4 aside for later)
-Make a small indent in the flour and pour yeast into indent
-Place breadmaker pan into breadmaker, close lid, and select 'dough'. Press start
-When your breadmaker beeps, open lid and add a dash of flour (a couple of pinches)

B. From Breadmaker to Baking
-When dough cycle is complete - remove dough onto a cutting board
-Shake the rest of the flour onto the dough and knead it
-Shape the bread however you like (split it apart into multiple pieces if you desire)
-Grease an oven pan or cookie sheet (depending on what shape and size you have) and place shaped dough onto the pan; I usually shape mine like a sub sandwich
-Cover the dough with lightly greased (oil spray) cellophane wrap to assist with rising.
-Place bread in a warm environment (60-80 degrees Farenheit) for 20-30 min. If you press lightly into the bread with two fingers and the indent stays, the bread is ready to be baked.

C. From Baking to Finish
-Remove cellophane covering and pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Farenheit
-Bake bread for 20 minutes
-Remove bread and butter the top
-Switch oven to broil and broil bread for 5 minutes (for golden top)
-Remove bread and serve!

This is perhaps a little too detailed, but you get the idea. This is a softer bread with a strong italian taste. I hope you enjoy!